Daily Republican., 1887-11-15
A Tforn on the Stem,

Why, Mary, how late you are!"!
exclaimed Mary Morrison's father, al
larmer living near Weston, Cheshire
II was just going on myself TO take
your place, The boys have got half
through"
'Oh, never mind. father" said|
pretty Mary. relieving him of his milk.
ing pail and stool in a coaxing way
This gentleman has been taking myl
picture.
Your picture, chr Good evening,
sir. ! suppose you are one of them
artist chaps al the tavern?"
The gentleman referred TO, a hand
some young fellow. bowed. Yes, he
was one Of 'them Chaps" And in|
proof thereof he opened his portfolio.
Mary cided off toward the barDyard
the old man gszad with an open
mouth at her portrait
"Thats her, sure enough, and the
cows couldn't have been better il you
had stuck them in there just as they be
in the yard. And Trip, too, you can
see the bark just coming out of his
mouth. | vow it is wonderful. l
say, sir, should like to see how you
do it,"
"You shall. Come this way"
The artist crossed the road, followed
by the farmer, and sat down near the
barnyard. Mary sat among a group
of milkers, her tongue running fast
about her portrait, while she leaned
her pretty head against the side of old
Mooly, and watched her rapidly.filling
pail. Before the work was over, the
quick pencil had caught them all and
| grouped them around the centre figure,
like stars around the moon-like a
rustic court attending upon their rustic
queen.
"well, it beats ALL" ejaculated the
farmer "Nlary, he's made another
picture Of you"
She came out, smiling and blusbing
'Dear me, sir, wanted TO smooth
my hair and change my dress before
you took me again"
1--WE will let that so till come an
other time,' said the artist gravely, as
he closed his book. at is almos,
| tlne lor HE W 90.
Come in for moment and take q
cup of new milk" said the farmer
heartily. "Thats what you don't ge,
in London, Mr.. -"
MY name is Curtis Howard, sir.
You are right; never get milk there,
and will trouble Miss Mary"
Miss Mary hurried away TO wash
| L. h.,, IA. L.,;r
When she came back with the milk,
the artist stood in the open parlor door,
chatting with her father as if he hao
known hip for years.
"Yes, | so tomorrow" he SAID, II
answer to question, Just as she en-.
tered; and IL was well he took trt
milk or she might have dropped it
He looked at her keenly; decr
blush covered her face; he sighed ant
raised the glass to his lips.
"lour health, Miss Mary, and ,
god husband 10 you"
The old man hurst out laughing
Mary put the empty glass away with {
small pain at her heart. She hat
often been Oked about IA husband be
fore, yet somehow she did not like t
hear the stranger joke about it. Sh
woull never marry-not shel
The evening passed slowly away
and the village clock struck nine. Til,
artist rose TO 60.
"Good-bye," he said. "and man
thanks for your hospitality"
"Go"d-byc, sir. II ever you ccm
: this way drop in and stay week G
two with US. Mary will take goo
care Of you, and you can take picture
OF her 10 your hearts content"
THANK you-you are very kline
.. and if | am near you, shall not tail
accept the invitation, Miss Mary
, may venture 10 ask one thing OF yo
in memory of this pleasant vieit?"
"What can | give you, sir?' sh
said in voice that trembled, thoug
| she tried to keep it steady.
THAT flower if you will"
lie pointed 10 the rose on ht
q bosom.
She unfas,enej it, and seeing
, thorn upon the stem. removed it b.
4 fore she placed it in his hand. II
a smiled sadly.
b "Thank you, May all your ros
!. be thornless forever. shall fini.
u your picture, and perhaps you sha
:. see it again some day. Good-by
f now"
;, He held out his hand. She ga
y him hers. The old farmer rad a
= ready made two steps toward the ga
= and stood with his back toward then
o gazing out toward his beloved bari
9 yard and fields beyond. Two pair
ewes gszed into each others depth
. two pair of lips met s2ttly; two hear
u gave quick bound. And then II
+ artist went away. 1t was quite tin
e lor him to 10 so.
e So Curtis Howard went about h
business and Miss Mary hers.
Yet often, during the succeediu
autumn and winter, after her woI
WAS done, she stood before tha tw
, pictures Changing In place of honor {
the parlor wall. and sighed in an i
o comprehensive way that would ha'
spoken volumes 10 any one expel
II cnced enough TO read them.
Ana what Of him? And that gear b
It had worked as he had Eever workt
:. before, and the end was gained. II
!. great picture had given MIN fan
enough to be aster of pretty lit
n villa ON the Thames, daintily furnis
ed, and boastin g 3 rose garden wortl
of Istamboul, a pleasure yacht and
}, carriage. There was dun COW NOR
over, in the little pasture at the bac
and a noble New Foundland lying ;
his feet. Also lady's work tab
u and easy chair beside one of the wi
o. dows, at which he gazed with a rro,
smile. He took an embroidered no
@ case from his breast pocket, and el
o iracted from its leaves the faded effil